Redhill School’s Vongai Dhliwayo gave a performance to remember when she recently took centre stage at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
The Grade 10 learner took home six medals (one gold and five silver), in addition to winning the overall Grand Championship Award for Acting and the overall Division Award for dramatic acting.
According to Vongai, it was rewarding to see her hard work pay off as she had been preparing for four months with her coach Jill Avis in the lead-up to the championships.
“I started by picking my monologues with my coach [and] then she helped me prepare them for the next four months. It was a lot of memorising lines and repeating monologues over and over again, but I’m so grateful for the experience and happy to put the work in.”
Her commitment proved fruitful, aside from the awards and medals, Vongai was beyond happy with her performance.
“What was really important for me was to go on stage and make sure I do the best I can. This isn’t always easy when there are so many talented people around you. I am happy I was able to focus on doing my best and not trying to outdo the others around me – I think this is what I’m most proud of at the championships.”
The 16-year-old has always had a great passion for acting and the ability to transform herself into a completely different persona.
“I’ve always been a very dramatic person and loved performing in front of my family but I really discovered my love for acting when I was nine years old in my first major production at school,” she said.
Vongai added that acting provides her with an escape from real life; she has the opportunity to step into the shoes of a completely different person for a short period of time.
“It’s so fascinating to me because I feel like I know these characters; how they feel and think. I love what I’m doing and getting to share that with an audience makes it all the better.”
The young actor now has her sights set not only on finishing high school but she hopes to spend a year at the New York Film Academy, learning from professionals as she completes a Conservatory Course.
Details: Redhill School 011 783 4707.
Related articles:
